Phillies open 2014 at Texas Rangers

The Phillies Zone

For the first time ever, the Phillies will need a designated hitter on opening day.

The 2014 season will begin in an American League ballpark with a three-game series at the Texas Rangers. Opening day is March 31. The road trip continues to Wrigley Field, for three games against Chicago on April 4-6, which could serve as another coronation for Ryne Sandberg if he is named manager.

The Phillies will play American League West teams during interleague play. They have road trips to Texas, Oakland and Los Angeles. The Angels, with South Jersey native Mike Trout, also come to Philadelphia for two games in May. Additionally, Seattle and Houston will play at Citizens Bank Park.

The "natural rivalry" annually rotates between Boston and Toronto, so the Phillies and Blue Jays will play a set of two-game home-and-home series in May.

The schedule is particularly light on home games in July and September. There are just 10 home games in each month. The Phillies finish the season at home for the first time since 2009 with Atlanta. The final game is Sept. 28.